When you buy stock in the "stock market" what are you buying? Why would you but a stock?

Financial performance is measured in many ways. requirements 1. explain the difference between lag and lead indicators. 2. the following is a list of financial measures. indicate whether each is a lag or lead indicator: a. income statement shows net income of $100,000 b. listing of next week's orders of $50,000 c. trend showing that average hits on the redesigned website are increasing at 5% per week d. price sheet from vendor reflecting that cost per pound of sugar for the next month is $2 e. contract signed last month with large retail store that guarantees a minimum shelf space for grandpa's overloaded chocolate cookies for the next year